Update: Woodinville City Staff Propose Annexation in Tourist District

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Update Oct. 17, 1:25 p.m. A Woodinville city staffer emailed the following to Patch after an inquiry into the Oct. 24 meeting details: 

There is a meeting on October 24th between the County Executive and a few City Council members on behalf of the City; however it isn’t a public meeting, nor is there an agenda.  

Original story from Oct. 16:

The issue of annexation came up again at last week’s Woodinville City Council meeting.

Woodinville City Manager Richard Leahy proposed annexing the King County-owned parking area adjacent to the Northshore Athletic Fields in the Woodinville Tourist District. The annexation would allow for tourist-related business development, he said.

The proposal came in a list of recommendations for the 2012-2013 legislative agenda with King County.

Councilor Paulette Bauman said at the meeting that she didn't recall the idea, but Leahy said they first brought it to the council in January and that it's part of a long-term vision and on the long-term agenda of county issues.

The intent would be to relocate the parking lot, perhaps to the north side of the road along the Tolt pipeline, Leahy said. Then the current parking area would be available for potential tourist-related business development.

"It would fill in the last gap between the roundabout and the Columbia/Ste. Michelle intersection," he said, adding that it would make the area more pedestrian-friendly.

No one from the city has spoken yet with the owner of the athletic fields, officials from Redhook Brewery or the wineries, Leahy said.

"There's a lot of cooperation that's needed," he said.

Deputy Mayor Liz Aspen said she would like the city to clarify how the land is currently zoned and said she had heard it's zoned for agriculture or parks.

While Leahy thought the 2012-2013 legislative agenda (with or without this annexation proposal) should be set before a meeting with county officials next week, Mayor Bernie Talmas said the council should wait until after the Oct. 24 meeting.

"I think we should test the waters at the meeting next week," he said. "I think we have enough to talk about."

What do you think about this proposal? Does it make sense since it's in Woodinville's official tourist district? Do you think the nearby businesses and county will support the idea? Tell us in comments.